Indeed, cheaping out and buying everything from the dollar store might save you money in the short term, but if that $2 underwear falls apart in the wash after a month, you haven't really saved money in the long run. So while we usually love to tell people how they can spend less on everyday items, here are a few things that you might consider splurging on.

Premium Gas (Sometimes)

Most people don't bother paying an extra quarter for higher-octane gas, but certain cars are actually designed with premium gas in mind.

"People are always saying, 'Just buy regular gas,' but you might consider looking at the user's manual" before making a decision, Ingram says. "If you have certain kinds of performance vehicles, you aren't saving money by getting regular gas, you're hurting your car."

For most vehicles, regular gasoline will be just fine. But the experts do say to check the manual to see what the manufacturer recommends, especially if you drive a luxury car. Filling up with regular when the manual recommends premium could lead to pricey engine maintenance down the road.

Products With A Guarantee

While some companies use "guarantee" as a buzzword to make you buy and fail to live up to their promise, other businesses stand by their word. While you might spend more upfront, getting a product you can depend on for life is worth the extra cost.

"I'll buy products from Land's End, L.L. Bean and Jansport, because they all have lifetime guarantees on their products," Ingram says. "If something goes wrong, they'll replace it, and I don't have to go out and buy another."

An L.L. Bean backpack may cost a little more than the cheap one you see at the drugstore, but the drugstore won't replace it for free if the zipper breaks after a few months. L.L. Bean will.

Food

We're not saying you should indiscriminately spend more on food across the board -- there are a lot of generics that stand up to the brand names, and we're not about to suggest you start splurging on all the most expensive produce out there, but many frugal people nevertheless go for fresh and organic fruits and vegetables even though the price is higher.

"There's a lot of really cheap processed food on the market, but I'd rather spend a little more on good healthy food now than spend more down the line on medical bills," says Erin Huffstetler, who writes the Frugal Living Guide for About.com.

This is a difficult decision for avid grocery store couponers, as most manufacturer's coupons are for packaged foods rather than vegetables and fresh meat.

"I was a heavy couponer and bought a lot of boxed meals, but now I get fresh fruits and vegetables instead of making it out of the box," says Melissa Garcia, who writes the blog Consumer Queen. "My family's health is really important."

That doesn't mean coupon addicts can't save on fresh produce.

"There is a trend that people don't realize of coupons out there for fruits, vegetables and meat," Garcia says.

Premium Beer

Gone are the days you had to choose between a cheap six-pack of domestic beer or paying extra for pricier imported beer that wasn't always appreciably better. The American craft beer scene is thriving, and that means people willing to spend just a few dollars extra per six-pack can enjoy much better beer than the mass-produced stuff.

"I pay more for good beer, because I'm not a fan of light beer," says Julia Scott, who blogs as the Bargain Babe. "I'm happy to pony up for a six-pack of Anchor Steam or Magic Hat."

A New Car

AP

We aren't about to tell you that you shouldn't buy used -- it's certainly possible to find a good used car if you shop smartly. But as a general rule you should be willing to pay extra for a quality car to avoid getting buried in maintenance costs down the road.

"You have to think about how long it's going to last you," Garcia says. "I had a really bad experience buying a used minivan that was really cheap, but I later found out was a lemon. After that, we started buying new."

Whether you buy new or used, don't just buy the cheapest model -- you need to consider total cost of ownership, including how quickly it will depreciate in value.

Beware paying too much, though. An expensive car can depreciate in value quickly also and -- due to rarity of parts, the sophisticated, tricky way an engine is put together, high labor costs and need for high-tech diagnostics and repair gear -- be costly even for the smallest repairs.

But up to a point you can pay more and still end up with a good deal if you do your homework.

Clothes

Daniel Goodman / Business Insider

"It's really easy to go into a discount store and get something that looks great initially, but maybe it won't fit as well or the material won't hold up as well," Huffstetler says. She recommends that frugal shoppers instead look for trusted brands at thrift stores, noting that seeing the clothes after they've been worn and washed dozens of times will give you a better sense of their quality.

If you're not a naturally stylish person and you want to dress professionally for work, you might also consider splurging on some professional help. Ingram, who has done TV appearances as part of her book promotion, says she hired a personal shopping assistant to help her pick the right clothes.

"If you are in an industry where you're looking to move up, invest in yourself by hiring a personal stylist and figuring out how to make good purchases for your wardrobe," she says. While it costs a few hundred dollars for a day's consultation and shopping, she says the lessons she learned from the assistant made it a good long-term investment.

Retailers With Good Customer Service

Just as she prefers merchants and manufacturers with product guarantees, Ingram says she also likes to buy from places with good customer service policies.

"I'm willing to spend more at a store that I feel treats me well as a customer," she says. "Nordstrom is an excellent example -- they have terrific customer service --and I buy all my shoes from Zappos, which ships for free and has free returns."

That's also part of the reason why she prefers Apple products.

"If you live near an Apple store, you can get tremendous technical help," she says. "Even if it's not under warranty, as long as they can fix it right there at the Genius Bar, it's completely free."

Home Improvement

Choosing the right contractor to build a home or renovate an existing one can be a tricky process, and there are plenty of ways to save money and bring down the final bill. When it comes to buying the materials to get the job done, though, err on the side of pricey. After all, this is your house we're talking about.

"I'm in the middle of renovating my house, and we're going to have the same labor cost whether I choose to have good or cheap materials," Huffstetler says. "If I get hardwood [floors], I'm never going to have to do that again, but if I get linoleum, I might have to do it again in a few years."

There are also ongoing costs to consider. The cheaper the window, for instance, the more likely it is you'll see higher bills when winter comes along and your heat goes swooshing out drafty panes and ill-fitting frames.

Computing And Internet Access

While computers have become standard in American homes, having a quality computer with a fast Internet connection ensures that you'll get the most out of it -- and that means getting money back in the long run.

"If you can save up for a good computer and Internet access, I guarantee you'll see how much money you can save, between printing coupons, learning how to get free gift certificates and doing online shopping," Garcia says. "My iPhone also helps me save money with all the money-saving apps."

Whether you spend extra on a smartphone instead of a feature phone depends a lot on your lifestyle and how you intend to use your device. If you're going to buy a bunch of unnecessary apps and accessories and burn through your bandwidth allotment watching movies, be prepared to flush a lot of money down the drain. But if you download shopping apps and apps to help you do your grocery shopping, you may find it to be a valuable investment.